Send Chuck a Coke?

Critics of Sen. Chuck Grassley are drinking Coke in response to his recent Twitter comments implying that people should avoid the soft drink giant, which has two bottling plants in Iowa.

Coca-Cola publicly announced earlier this month that it had ended its financial support of the American Legislative Exchange Council, better known as ALEC.

The Washington, D.C., think tank has come under heat in recent months for his advocacy of what some say is radical conservative “model” legislation that lawmakers across the country use for a basis of bills. That includes the “stand your ground” law at the center of the Trayvon Martin case in Florida and efforts across the country to require voters to show photo identification at the polls.

Progress Iowa this week launched a campaign called “Send Chuck a Coke” and today Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, brought cans of Coke to the Senate to share, noting Grassley’s opposition to the soft drink manufacturer’s decision to no longer support ALEC.

He noted that Grassley’s latest effort isn’t working to reduce student debt, help seniors to continue living in their own homes or on job creation.

He said he brought the soda in honor of the citizen effort that convinced Coca-Cola to stop funding ALEC.

“Citizens aren’t served by smear campaigns to silence points of view,” Kozeny said. “The effort to shut down ALEC, which has been around for decades, is especially a disservice in a state like Iowa, with our tradition of political debate and participation.”